. >> i think it is obvious president obama wants us to go over the fiscal cliff. >> president obama blamed republicans. >> they say the biggest priority is making sure they deal with the deficit in a significant way. they are behaving in a way that they're only priority is that the tax breaks for the wealthiest americans are protected. blacks mitch mcconnell is vowing to find out. -- >> mitch mcconnell is vowing to find out. >> can the senate veteran help congress tumble to a deal on the last day? >> if we do go off the fiscal cliff, congress would be more likely to make a deal. members could claim they are cutting taxes. >> thank you. if america does fall off the fiscal cliff on the first of the year, maryland would be hit hard. hundreds of millions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs lost. >> we have a lot of federal workers and businesses that rely on the federal government. many are watching the negotiations closely. if partisan politics prevail and they cannot reach a deal, americans in maryland will burden will -- will be burdened. legislativent of observances had a report about